For full details of the theme and how to enter, click here

We think this is an excellent theme that will put a few smiles on faces, or at the very least create a few AWWWWW’s

To get the full brief and details of prizes and the boring terms and conditions, click here

Good luck to all that enter and I look forward to seeing your photos.

I know this is not going to make the voting process easy, and combine that with the superb quality, it’s going to be tough selecting one photo, but this is what makes SnapAlley’s contest what they are, so don’t hang about, get your VOTE in ASAP.

Well done to everyone who entered this month and good luck to you all.

Welcome to SnapAlley, the new Gosnap.

We are very excited about the new site. Not only have we re-designed it from the ground up, but we’ve also made a number of important improvements which makes the site easier to use and navigate.

We kept all the old favourite features and fixed many bugs, but if you spot any problems while you are running round the site, please contact us here.

We hope you enjoy SnapAlley, and if you have any feedback for us please feel free to let us know.

All the Best

Si

You do not need years of experience and it does not matter if you don’t know your Cartier-Bresson from your Newton, or your f/stop from your ISO. All it takes is lots of honesty and a bit of thought. You may not have the technical knowledge to describe in detail how a particular effect was achieved, or what the photographer could have done to improve certain aspects, but you are all able to describe how an image may make you feel or how it relates to you personally. As the saying goes ‘I don’t know art but I know what I like’.

The main point to remember when making comments is to explain them. If you like or dislike something in particular, say why and, more constructively if you don’t like something, say what the photographer could have done differently to improve it. Be honest, but always polite and remember you are critiquing a picture, not a person. No one will take criticism personally if it is done in a constructive manner.

The first and most important aspect to consider is the initial impact of the image, does it jump out at you, does it make you want to keep looking, does it make you think or ask questions? Describe how the picture makes you feel, everyone is different and every image will say different things to different people, so it is useful for the artist to know how his work affects the people who are looking at it.

If you feel capable, you can also comment on the technical quality of the photograph. Is it sharp and in focus (not the same thing), is there too much, or too little, depth of field? Is the picture too light or too dark (exposure)? Consider the options the photographer had at the time of shooting, what could they have done differently and again, most importantly, why.

Think about the composition of the image, is your eye drawn to the main subject or does another element distract you from it? Could the picture have been cropped differently to better accentuate the subject? Another factor with digital images is post processing, if the image has been manipulated in any way does this add or detract from the end result?

Take the time to think about what makes some pictures work and some not. When you are confident in your analysis of other images you can then objectively apply these principles to your own work and I guarantee you will reap the rewards.

www.mackimages.co.uk

Septembers’ photo contest winner is Long tongue By Charlie (Dalinch). This is what you voted for and I have to say it’s an excellent choice, not only is the image of an excellent standard with the composition and sharpness with excellent Dof.

Congratulation Charlie, and stunning piece of work and a deserved winner.

Your Prize is an Acrylic Print of your winning entry.

This months photography competition is

I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who entered this competition, the entries were all top quality, great work by all. To see all entries click here

August’s photo contest winner is Serenity By Clive (kamikazechocobo), This is an excellent landscape, with great lines, lighting and overall atmosphere, serenity certainly fits the bill..

Congratulation Clive a well deserved win.

Your Prize is an Acrylic Print of your winning entry.

This months photography competition is

I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who entered this competition, the entries were all top quality, great work by all. To see all entries click here

We’re absolutely amazed at the sheer quality of entries this month, and it must have been a tough decision on which entry to place your vote. The judges had the same dilemma and we are proud the announce the winner ‘Typewriter by Kim (LAntics)

Congratulation Kim a well deserved win.

Your Prize is an Acrylic Print of your winning entry.

This months photography competition is

I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who entered this competition, the entries were all top quality, great work by all. To see all entries click here

Magic Autumn, by Edyta (Tomeda)

This is a stunning shot and a deserved winner, congratulations Edyta.

Your Prize is an Acrylic Print of your winning entry.

This months photography competition is

I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who entered this competition, the entries were all top quality, great work by all. To see all entries click here

This months competition was again overwhelming with the number of entries, and was by far the toughest competition yet, for both entrant and voters.

So a big congratulations to Noriko for winning this month’s competition, “Candid” and a big thank you to the community for supporting the entrants with your vote.

Your Prize is an Acrylic Print of your winning entry.

This months photography competition is

I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who entered this competition, the entries were all top quality, great work by all. To see all entries click here